Being a rectangle means your body tend to look straight up and down, so it is important to find the right swimsuit styles that flatter your shape. Since I am petite myself (5’2″) and I have no natural waist definition, I know how much a difference the right bathing suit can make!
Besides, I also have a petite clothing line for women 5’4″ and under, so I style petite models of different body shapes (including petite rectangle) on a weekly basis for our photo as well as product fitting sessions. I’ve put together this guide to help you find the most flattering swimsuits based on my first hand experiences!
Table of Contents
Styling Goal
- Look for swimsuits with flowy details. Swimsuits with details such as ruching, ruffles, or embellishments can add volume and create the illusion of curves, which can be flattering for a petite rectangle body shape.
- Try asymmetrical designs and details like one shoulder, one side cut out, or asymmetrically-placed ruffles to strategically add visual interest and create the illusion of curves. They can also help balance out a straighter figure and create a more dynamic look.
- Focus on the top half by opting for padded or underwire tops, open necklines, or flounce fabric details to add volume and create a more defined silhouette. Petite rectangle-shaped women often have a smaller bust, so focus on finding swimsuits that enhance the upper body.
Now that we have covered these styling goals that you need to take into consideration, you’re ready to flaunt your athletic figure! Before you hit the beach, here are the swimsuit styles that you may want to check out for your petite rectangle-shaped body.
Plunging V-Neckline Swimsuit
Swimsuits with a plunging V-neckline draw the eye downwards, creating a longer line and giving the appearance of a lean frame. the V shape also helps distract the eyes from seeing straight vertical lines that may only emphasize your figure’s lack of curves.
In addition, the V-shape of the neckline can create the illusion of cleavage, which is perfect for those who want to enhance their bust. This effect can be further enhanced by choosing a swimsuit with padding or underwire, which will provide additional lift and support.
Another great benefit of a plunging V-neckline swimsuit is that it can help elongate your neck and create a more balanced look overall. It’s a versatile and flattering style that rectangle shapes can easily pull off.
Swimsuits with Vertical Details
Going for swimsuits with vertical details is one way of drawing attention to your best feature – your legs. As vertical lines draw the eyes downwards, you get the best of your frame’s asset while also creating the illusion of height.
Swimsuits with vertical details, such as stripes, piping, or seams, are incredibly flattering for petite rectangles because they create the illusion of length. This is important because petite rectangles often lack depth, which can sometimes make them look boxy or disproportionate.
The vertical lines draw the eye up and down, creating a long, lean silhouette. This effect can be further enhanced by choosing a swimsuit with high-cut legs, which will also help lengthen the legs and create a more visually pleasing look.
Neutral-colored Wrap Swimsuit
A wrap swimsuit is a style of one-piece swimsuit that features a wrap-around design, often with a tie or belt at the waist. This style is designed to create a flattering and feminine silhouette by cinching in the waist and accentuating the curves.
For petite rectangle shapes, neutral-colored wrap swimsuits are an excellent choice because they create the illusion of curves and add some much-needed definition to the body. The wrap design draws the eye to the waist, which can make it appear smaller and more defined.
In addition to the waist-cinching effect, neutral-colored wrap swimsuits can also help bring balance to your frame while also maintaining a minimal look. Neutral colors such as black, beige, or white are timeless and versatile, making them a great choice for any beach or poolside occasion.
One-Shoulder Swimsuit
This trendy swimsuit style features a single strap or sleeve on one shoulder, creating a unique and asymmetrical look that is perfect for petite rectangle shapes. One-shoulder swimsuits are ideal for petite rectangles because they give the vertical lines of rectangle shapes some diversion.
The asymmetrical design draws the eye to one side of the body, which can make it appear more shapely and balanced. This is especially important for petite rectangles, who may have a straighter, less curvy shape and want to create the appearance of more curves.
In addition to the curve-enhancing effect, one-shoulder swimsuits can also help elongate the frame and create a more flattering appearance. The diagonal line of the strap or sleeve creates a longer line, which can make the body appear taller and leaner.
Off-the-Shoulder Swimsuit
If you’re looking for a swimsuit that provides enough coverage while still accentuating your feminine curves, an off-the-shoulder neckline swimsuit may be the perfect choice for you. This stylish design offers enough coverage for those who prefer not to expose too much skin, while also creating volume around the upper body and drawing attention to the neckline and shoulders.
The off-the-shoulder neckline is not only chic but also comfortable to wear. It works to complement your structure by creating curves in areas you lack them through the flounces of fabric that run along the neckline, making you look feminine and confident.
They also do not exaggerate any problem areas, making you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. So, if you have a petite rectangle shape, this is a style you shouldn’t really miss.
Waist Cutout Swimsuit
A waist cutout bikini is a trendy style of bikini that features cutouts at the waistline that reveals a small portion of the midriff. This design is perfect for petite rectangle shapes, as it can help create the illusion of a more defined waistline and add some curves to a straighter body shape.
The waist cutout bikini is visually advantageous for petite rectangle shapes because it draws attention to the smallest part of the body, which is often the waistline. This creates the appearance of a more defined waist, adding some curves and creating a more balanced overall look.
The cutouts also help break up the straight lines of a rectangle shape, adding some visual interest and creating the appearance of more curves. In addition to the curve-enhancing effects, waist cutout bikinis are also stylish and very sexy-looking!
Belted Swimsuit
A belted swimsuit is a type of one-piece swimsuit that features a belt or a sash around the waistline. This design is particularly good for petite women with rectangle-shaped bodies as it defines the waistline flawlessly and adds some curves to a straighter body shape.
The belted swimsuit is quite beneficial for petite rectangle shapes because it accentuates the waistline, which is a much-needed factor to help bring out the natural curves of your frame. The belt or sash draws attention to the waist, creating the appearance of a more defined waistline and adding some curves to the midsection.
Swimsuits with Ruffled Bustline
A swimsuit with a ruffled bustline can be helpful in bringing out the curves of a petite rectangle body shape because it adds volume to the bust area, creating the illusion of a fuller bust and a more balanced overall silhouette.
The ruffles can also create a horizontal line across the bust area, which helps to break up the straight lines of a rectangle-shaped body and add eye-catching details to your summer ensemble. This can also help create the illusion of more curves to amp up your natural body shape.
High-cut Bikini
For those with a petite rectangle shape, a high-cut swimsuit is a stylish and flattering option that can help elongate the legs and balance out the figure. This type of swimsuit is designed with a higher leg cut, exposing more of the legs and drawing attention away from the upper part of the body.
Unlike low-cut swimsuit designs, which can make your rectangle body shape look even boxier, high-cut swimsuits add a major point of interest to the figure. They create a focal point on the legs, which helps create a more balanced overall look and draws attention away from the straighter lines of the upper body.
The Key Takeaway
Gearing up for the beach with the swimsuit of your choice can be a total game-changer as long as you pick the right ones that best suit your petite rectangle-shaped body. Despite lacking natural curves, you can still perfectly flaunt your athletic build in one of these flattering swimsuits for you!
